Dexter Wins Florida South Opener at Lake Okeechobee

Jett Dexter of Arcadia, FL won the Florida South Division Ram Truck Open Series opener at Lake Okeechobee on February 20, 2016. Dexter brought in a 23.97 pound limit of Okeechobee bass to take home $5225. “I was fishing on the north end of the lake and I caught them all on a swimbait. I caught three this morning and I didn’t finish my limit until 12:30. This is the best payback that I’ve ever seen on this lake,” said Dexter.

Second place on the boater side went to Chad Foster of Saint Cloud, FL with 19.60 pounds. Foster earned $1614 for his efforts. “I was on the north end and caught my fish on an Outkast swim jig. I’m excited about today and I’m excited about the Ray Scott Championship coming up. I’ve been looking forward to Lake Hartwell,” said Foster.

Larry Wright of Okeechobee, FL finished in the third place spot with 18.79 pounds to win $1076. “North end of the lake and caught them on a Carolina rig. I stayed in the same area all day,” said Wright.

David Rushing of Orlando, FL had the 7.87 pound Boater Big Bass to win $820 from the Big Bass Pot. “It was early this morning and I was swimming a fire and ice colored ribbon tail worm. I thought it was a gator when she hit it. She almost pulled the reel out of my hand. I wish I could have had five of those,” said Rushing.

Top Five Boaters:

1. Jett Dexter  23.97  $5225  

2. Chad Foster  19.60  $1614

3. Larry Wright  18.79  $1076

4. Richard Vest  17.78  $753

5. Gary Melicevic  17.61  $619

5. Bob Stafford  17.61  $619 

There were 82 boaters registered for this Ram Truck Open Series event.

Complete results can be found at this link. 

For more info on the Florida South division of the Ram Truck Open Series call ABA tournament manager, Billy Benedetti, at (256) 230-5632.

Ram Truck Open Series anglers can take advantage of the “no boat on boat draw” format along with huge payouts for the 2016 season. First place boaters can win a guaranteed $5000 first place, regardless of number of entries. Payouts will increase to $6000 for the first place boater with a 100 boat field. Over the course of four divisional events and the area championship, anglers will be competing for a spot in the 2017 Ray Scott Championship.

Lots of contingency money is up for grabs during the 2016 Ram Trucks Open Series Series season. Anglers participating in the Triton Gold program can earn up to $7,000 at 2016 divisional events and up to $50,000 at the 2017 Ray Scott Championship. Anglers can also take advantage of other programs such as T-H Marine Atlas Rewards, Power Pole Captain's Cash, Garmin Grand Giveaway, Livingston Lures Cash for Big Bass, Abu Garcia Revo Big Bass Bonus, Maui Jim Bonus, and Mercury/Motorguide bonus money.

American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Ram Trucks, Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Carlisle Tires, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Hydrowave, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Dr. Dan's, Garmin, and Simms Bass.  American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or by visiting www.americanbassanglers.com .